KABUL - A total of 12 insurgents have been killed and 22 captured in operations launched by security forces in different parts of the country over the past 24 hours, Afghan Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

"A total of 12 armed insurgents had been killed, 22 arrested and three injured as a result of 11 joint and independent operations launched by Afghan National Police (ANP) with the assistance of army and coalition forces over the past 24 hours in Laghman, Kandahar, Helmand, Logar, Paktika, Baghlan and Paktiya provinces," said the statement providing daily operational updates here.

A handful of weapons and ammunition were also discovered and seized by ANP, it said.

In another development, militants shot and killed a senior police officer in Nad Ali district of southern Helmand province earlier Sunday, Abibullah Shamalani, district chief of Nad Ali told Xinhua.

"Insurgent ambushed and killed Mudir Asadullah the commander of local police forces in Sayed Abad area of the district after Asadullah rescued a policeman from insurgent custody this morning, "Shamalani told Xinhua.

He accused Taliban for attack, adding no one was injured in the incident.  

In neighboring Marjah district, Taliban on September 3 assassinated Abdul Haleem commander of local police force recently established by Afghan government and NATO forces to fight with the Taliban and provide security in their own areas.